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What is there to do camping at night while on the road? 

Having recently spent 3 months traveling Europe in our 30-year-old Motorhome, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of Europe and the UK’s Grey Nomads. My closest travel companions during this time were my in-laws, who spend around 6 months on the road each year. Just like the Australian type, I often ponder their top two pastimes once the sun goes down and wonder how best I SHOULD be spending this valuable downtime on the road.

Of course, it’s essential to make the distinction between holiday-making campervanners and long-term campervanners who embrace this lifestyle for a significant part of the year. Drinking every night (!) might be more acceptable for those on a two-week holiday.

camping at night

After 3 months of living in a van, it becomes more than just a holiday and transforms into a way of life. As a result, living like you are constantly on annual leave becomes unsustainable (both for your liver and bathroom scales!). It’s interesting to wonder what percentage of Grey Nomads choose to drink every night, whether it’s for socializing, enjoying the scenery, or just to fill the time. Among European Grey Nomads, two clear categories emerge: those who sit outside their van on their camping chair after dinner and have a few drinks, and those who prefer to go inside and watch TV.

Being vaguely healthy (or so I like to think) and being a bit anti-TV. I felt that there must be more ways to spend your nights than drinking or in front of the box. Although I do understand that when you live in your campervan watching TV after dinner is like being at home. 

Things to do camping at night

For us, having a little one that goes to bed at 7:30pm means we are campervan-bound at night. Despite our love for a beer or wine (limited to 3-4 nights a week, honest!). We often wonder what else there is to do when we can’t leave our van. Of course, it all depends on the weather and our energy levels!

If the weathers good…
Engage in exercise, like a yoga class (books, apps , or YouTube classes available), or body weight exercises using various resources. Take indoor activities outside on a picnic rug, camp chairs, and table for a refreshing experience.

@achtungcamper supplied image 

If the weather’s bad… 

 

Play a card game or board game.  We recently bought a book on card games as we didn’t know any… 

 

Read a novel or reference book. 

 

Learn a language on Duo Linguo (a wonderful app). 

 

Listen to a Podcast. 

 

Join the website/app previously known as ‘Linda’ now underLinked In Learning’ for online business and self-improvement courses of every topic and duration. 

Have a cup of tea and chat (seriously!) 

 

Research where you are travelling to next. What you will see there, where you will stay, where you’ll go out for a coffee… 

 

And when all else fails, we hope you’ve shelled out the extra $ for our Achtung Camper projector and screen for your outdoor or indoor cinema experience.  Just be sure to tell passers by that it’s not TV thank you very much, it’s NETFLIX! 

All images via Pinterest.